Method for the commercial production of helminths antigens

• US 4,756,908 A
• Filed: 06/12/1985
• Issued: 07/12/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kenneth K. Lew
• Original Assignee: Kenneth K. Lew
• Inventors: Lew, Kenneth K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kight, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAN, Y CHRISTINA
• Application Number:
  US06/743,877
• Time in Patent Office: 1,126 Days
• Field of Search: 424/85, 424/88, 424/95
• US Class Current: 424/265.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 39/00 Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies materials for immunoassay G01N33/53
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 14/4354 from nematodes
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 16/18 against material from animals or humans

Abstract

An easily cultured worm is genetically modified such that its surface antigens on its modified form are immunologically identical to the surface antigens of a parasitic worm. Specifically, C. elegans is genetically modified to produce antigens corresponding to the antigens of D. immitis which causes heartworm infection. The antigens derived from the easily cultured worm are used to form a vaccine and/or diagnostic.

Claims

1. A vaccine for use in immunizing a host subject to infection by a parasitic worm selected from the group consisting of D. immitis and A. conium which comprises:

a mutant of the easily grown, non parasitic worm C. elegans which has been genetically modified to produce antigens immunologically identical with the antigens of the parasitic worm together with a pharamaceutical acceptable carrier.

2. The vaccine of claim 1 wherein the parasitic worm is D. immitis.

3. The vaccine of claim 1 wherein the parasitic worm is A. canium.

4. A method for immunizing a host subject to infection by a parasitic worm selected from the group consisting of D. immitis and A. canium which comprises:

administering an effective amount of a vaccine of claim 1.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the parasitic worm is D. immitis.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the parasitic worm is A. canium.

7. A vaccine for use of immunizing a host subject to infection by the parasitic worm D. immitis which comprises:

a mutant of the easily grown, non parasitic worm C. briggsae which has been genetically modified to produce antigens immunologically identical with the antigens of D. immitis together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

8. A method for immunizing a host subject to infection by the parasitic worm D. immitis which comprises:

administering an effective amount of the vaccine of claim 7.